| Bad Religion – Misery and Famine Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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Interesting perspective but I would contend you're reading into it too much and grasping, though that could explain a line or two the greater message of this song is not so esoteric and speaks to fundamental human natures and the natural laws to which we're subject (Gregg's an evolutionary biologist even though he still teaches geology and natural sciences at UCLA). The lyrics, "great ellipse we bend to thee," "the terse oppressive blanket that's instilled here by our spin," are speaking to this most basic fundamental reality. In response to such misery and famine as an outcome of natural forces that we have "no control" over the human race is stricken with a need for an explanation, something to give it meaning. "You look for meaning in things no one comprehends" "compels us naturally." Some do rise to the occasion and remedy the terrible anguish they feel when watching others suffer (e.g., "we suffer all the same") by donating money or volunteering time; and even though they are not willing to accept the reality (e.g., "they pay no regard to their position or their speed but the firmament still covers them it its malevolent seed") they need to remedy the anguish one way or another. "A feeling of despair, hungry and full of care, we resent everywhere the fortune that we share" - this is speaking to human empathy and a evolutionary stable strategy that is most pronounced wen we recognize the true famine and misery so many people are forced to endure - we can imagine something better but "given our pathetic course our destiny is known." During the disaster in Haiti Gregg Graffin posted the lyrics to this song on the BR Web Page and added the note that this song is more relevant now than it ever was due to the outcry of the world and the response to the Haiti disaster. "It's misery and famine it's a force we cannot see, misery and famine it compels us naturally." Gregg is realist and speaks fundamental truths that most disregard due to the cognitive dissonance it creates - but Gregg knows that irregardless of discounting these realities and natural forces they're still subject to them. |
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